Golf club



P. F. APFEL April l2, 1932.

EE F5 L. I IN V EN TOR Phil/'lo F. Apfz/ A TTORNEY April 12, 1932. p. FAPFEL 1,853,532

GOLF CLUB Filed Aug. 28. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE E INVENToR. Dh/ICD E4,02%/

Patented Apr. 12, 1932i` 'rares PHILIP F. APFEL, iOEk SEATTLE,WASHINGTON GOLF CLUB Application filed August 28, 1929. Serial No.388,985.

My invention relates to the construction of shafts such as are utilizedin golf clubs and the like.

lt is known that in such articles as golfclubs the provision of a shafthaving relatively great flexibility or whip is extremely desirableinasmuch as a greater distance is obtainable with a club having such ashaft. 'In methods of construction used heretofore the whip obtainableis limited because of the mechanical strength which has been foundnecessary, in a given size, for a reasonable durability of the shaft. Itis therefore an object of my invention to provide a shaft in which theflexibility, the strength, and the durability are increased withoutincreasing substantially either size or weight.

A further object of my invention is to provide a shaft so constructedthat it will keep its shape and form without warping or buckling withchange of weather conditions.

A further obj ect of my invention is to provide a shaft construction ofsuch a nature'v that the shaft is manufactured and assembled with agreater ease and economy than has been possible with shafts heretofore.

My invention possesses other advantageous features some of which withthe foregoing will be set forth in the following description.

i It is to be understood that the invention as defined by the claims isto be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of theprior art.

In the drawings "u Figure 1 is an elevational view of a golf clubemploying a shaft constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a section through the shaft il- ,n lustrated in Fig. 1 alongthe lines 2 2 there- Figures 3 to 5 inclusive,villustrate other shaftsections and methods of constructing a l shaft in accordance with myinvention. Figure 6 is a cross section thru another i form of shaft.

Figure 7 is a. side elevation of a form of shaft which I employ.

Figure 8 is a cross section through the 5 shaft illustrated in Fig. 7along the line 8-.8

thereof.

Briefly, my invention may be generally characterized as comprising theconstruction of a shaft of segmental portions, the portions being soformed as to provide interlocking` surfaces which increase and impartcertain desired features.

In that form` of my invention which is parV- ticularly shown in Figs., 1and 2, a head@ is al'iXed toa shaft 7 in any convenientmannen As isshown in Fig. l2, Vtheshaft is preferably formed of substantiallyidentical portions8 and 9. These portions I have conveniently formed ofa suitable material such as metal.

It iste benoted, however, that the shaft 7 does not comprise merely ahollow tube or 85 solid rod as has been utilized with shafts heretofore,but includes portions 8 and 9 which are.k provided with interlockingsurfaces. Thus extensions 11 and 12 which are formed on the respectiveportions 8 and 9 are curved back upon the portions to provide what maybe termed a diametral base to the portions; The exten-sions are providedwith means for A effecting an interlock between them. To effect thisinterlock conveniently, I form a substantially symmetrical eye 13 uponeach of the extensions which are so adapted that theycan be interengagedto lock` the respective portions 8 and 9 together. i

I have found thatA the flexibility and whip 8( of the shaft ismaterially enhanced if the extensions 11 and 12 are positioned in such amanner with. respect to the face 16 of the head 6 that they aresubstantially parallel thereto. This provides for an increased degree ofexibility since the respective sections can slide along each other to acertainV extent while other movements than this as a transverse slidingmovement aresubstantially prohibited A VThe sections are convenientlymaintained in position with respect to each other by the wrappings andgrip portion usually provided upon the shaft. Thus the wrappingindicated at 17 near` thel head of the club serves to secure thesections together :at this point while the wrappings 18 andthe gripportion 19 secure the sections at the handle end ofthe club. i

My invention is also useful in providing nl Wooden shafts for thoseclubs in Which it is believed that Wood is the most satisfactorymaterial for the shaft. In this connection I have expediently formed theshaft of a plu- Yrality of sections 21. By providing a plurality ofsections, I am enabled to effect a greater economy in the manufactureand assembly of the shaft, in that smaller portions of Wood need beutilized to build up the shaftV When the several sections have beenglued together, is securely joined together not only by the adhesiveused but by the interlocking vof the several projections with therecesses. Y Further, by providing the interlockthe assembly of the shaftfrom the several sections is facilitated.

QI also prefer to form the shaft of the sections With the grains oftherWood running i'nsubstantially different directions, and with theinterlocking of the several sections together, a greater resistance isVthus provided Vin the shaft for those changes which are occasioned uponyWeather or climatic variations.

In that form of my invention which is illustrated in Figures 6 to 8inclusive the shaft 7 Vis assembled sothat the movement of the componentparts of the shaft is provided for. Thus in that form shown particularlyin Figure 8 theshaft sections 21 are joined together conveniently as bya bolt Qavvhich extends thru an aperture 26. This aperture is of a Widthto receive the bolt and of a length suiiicient to allow for a degree ofsliding of the faces relative to each other. This aids also inassembling the shafts and in securing the sections together.

In that form shown in Figure 6 the metal portions' 8 and 9 are providedWith interengaging members 27 and y28 respectively. These are adapted tobe engaged to provide a' Ycomposite shaft structure which I have foundis most usefulY and desirable Where certain characteristics' are desiredas in the game of golf. The joining ofthe portions is conveniently doneWith aY rivet V29 extending thru the aperture 26. When desired a bolt orother engaging means may be employed so that the shaft structure may bedisassembledfor repairs or replacement. In

prising a shaftjoined to said head, said shaft being formed ofsubstantially identical sections, and means onone of said sections forproviding an interlock With another of the sections whereby the sectionsare substantial- `ly secured against relative transverse movement.

3. In a composite shaft, a iirst shaft section, a second shaft sectionsubstantially identical in form With said first section, and means oneach of said sections for substantially locking said sections togetheragainst only relative transverse sliding movement.

4. In a composite shaft, a first section having 'a recess formedtherein, and a second section substantially identical With said firstsection and having a projection thereon, said project-ion being formedto engage said recess to provide an interlock between said sectionssubstantially to resist torsion and to prevent ransverse sliding of onesection on the second section. Y

5. In a golf club having a shaft, a rst shaft section, a second shaftsection, a projection formed upon said first section, the second sectionhaving a recess to receive said projection Twhereby relative transversemovement ofthe sections is prevented, and means for securing the shaftsections together to prevent only the relative transverse movement.

6. Ina golf club having a shaft, a first shaft section, a second shaftsection, and means for interlocking said sections together, said meansextending substantially entirely throughout the length of said sectionsso that relative transverse movement of the sections is prevented Whilerelative sliding movement substantially can occur.

7. Ina golf club, a shaft consisting of a first shaft section, a secondshaft section, said shaft sections each including a tongue and grooveportion adapted to cooperate with a groove or tongue on another sectionto restrain the sections against relative transverse sliding movement,but permitting relative longitudinal sliding movement.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

PHILIP F. APFEL.

this connection such a feature'as disassembly isadvantageous sincevarious shaft portions of different characteristics may be assembled yto'secure a shaft havior in use.

Iclaim: l. A golf club including having al very definite bean head andcom-

